You’ve probably seen the liquid nitrogen food trend on the Food Network or your local hole-in-the-wall hipster eatery.
From ice cream to cereal, that smoky, vapor-like effect has been making foods Instagrammable more and more.
Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added their two cents on whether liquid nitrogen-infused foods and drinks are safe for consumption, and they’re telling people to avoid consuming anything made with the science lab substance.
The FDA warning, issued on Thursday, says that the agency is aware of severe and even life-threatening injuries caused by consuming liquid nitrogen-prepared foods.
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“Liquid nitrogen, although non-toxic, can cause severe damage to skin and internal organs if mishandled or accidently ingested due to the extremely low temperatures it can maintain,” the warning states. Even inhaling the vapor is dangerous as it leads to difficulty breathing, especially those for who have asthma.
Liquid nitrogen seems like a fun, novelty product to consume, but it’s embarrassing to cite an injury coming from your cocktail or dessert. After all, there’s no shortage of picture-perfect meals that will keep your Instagram feed full, so opt for foods that won’t put you at risk!
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